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Emerging Adults and the Criminal Justice System: Charting the Course for Policy and Practice

Nearly 200 criminal justice and community stakeholders convened on February 19th for the inaugural conference of Loyola’s new Center for Criminal Justice Research, Policy and Practice. Emerging Adults and the Criminal Justice System: Charting the Course for Policy and Practice featured nationally prominent researchers, policy experts and advocates to provide cutting edge data, analysis and policy recommendations for improving outcomes of young people and communities when “emerging adults” between 18 and 25 years old are in conflict with the law. Current Illinois data indicates that this age group comprises approximately 15% of the population, but approximately 1/3 of those involved in the criminal justice system. Participants included policy makers and practitioners from Illinois and beyond.

Presenters included:

Rolf Loeber, PhD (Distinguished University Professor of Psychiatry, Professor of Psychology and Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh)

Thomas Grisso, PhD (Professor Emeritus in Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School; Professor and Researcher, University of Massachusetts Law and Psychiatry Program)

Vincent Schiraldi, MSW (Senior Research Fellow, Program in Criminal Justice Policy and Management, Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government)

Interim Provost Patrick Boyle presented remarks at the Center’s formal launch, on Friday, February 19th and discussed the Center’s role in Loyola’s Strategic Plan 2020. To support the development of effective policy and practice, the Center will publish a series of conference reports, articles and data analyses over the next 12 months. The Center will also convene a series of workshops and summits to assist policy makers in applying research on “what works” to reduce criminal offending and encourage positive outcomes with young adults at risk of criminal justice system involvement or reoffending.